Fleets of ships under space surveillance. The safety of ships, crews and cargo will increase

By Marek Grzybowski

Today, the safety of maritime transport is, as never before, an important problem for forwarders, cargo handlers and maritime transport operators. Security and supply control have become a fundamental issue for those responsible for ensuring the continuity of supply chains. Fleet operators and their customers will soon be able to use an integrated communication system that will provide real-time information.
Satellite technologies and the latest IT solutions will provide captains and fleet managers with a multidimensional network that will ensure rapid exchange and analysis of data and unlimited transmission of information. And above all, data will be able to be obtained from anywhere on the ocean and delivered to any point on the globe.
After stabilizing global logistics disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, it seemed that maritime transport had already regained strength and would develop stably. Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the sanctions imposed on Russia and clever ways of bypassing them have radically changed the world’s maritime transport networks. Houthi attacks have created further disruption on maritime transport routes and in global supply chains.
Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has launched NexusWave. It is a communications system based on “an integrated multi-dimensional network, offering fast connectivity, unlimited data, global coverage and a ‘safe by design’ infrastructure.”
Efficient and secure data flow in real time has become a necessity. Real-time information about the ship and cargo has become an indispensable decision-making tool not only for the operator. This is the basis for designing supply chains for production and inventory planning, and the basis for forecasting the supply of goods to consumer markets. This information is necessary for planning operations in the port and its hinterland.

Ship in the satellite eye
NexusWave can answer these challenges. The solution seamlessly integrates multiple high-speed networks in real time. Inmarsat Maritime explains that reliable and fast connectivity is provided by a combination that integrates “Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services and coastal LTE service where available – with an additional L-band layer for resiliency.”
“The solution also offers enterprise-class firewall security trusted by global enterprises and governments,” Viasat emphasizes. The future-proof NexusWave will also integrate ViaSat-3’s next-generation ultra-high-bandwidth, high-speed Ka-band service. This will be upon entry into service in 2025.
As a unified solution, NexusWave will provide a managed level of performance regardless of vessel location or requirements, while providing full transparency of total cost of ownership – with no unexpected fees.
The solution is designed to meet changing customer expectations and the needs emerging from new situations in maritime transport networks. It emphasizes the commercial nature of the service, which “supports digitalization and crew well-being initiatives by transforming ships into floating offices and homes.”

 

Connectivity and security
Ben Palmer, CEO of Inmarsat Maritime, said: “Ship fleet operators are facing an ever-increasing demand for data transmission.” The speed of information flow between ships and fleet management companies is extremely important.
The importance of ensuring the safety and efficiency of devices used for communication between operators, ships, forwarding companies, customs offices and security institutions, including ships protecting endangered water areas and communication routes, has increased.
“Meeting all of these requirements typically relies on multiple, disjointed solutions, resulting in a complex patchwork of data, speed and range limitations, as well as unverifiable cybersecurity,” emphasizes Ben Palmer.
He notes that “At a time when reliable connectivity is a competitive advantage, maritime operators are looking for a value proposition that is tailored to their needs and based on high performance, confidence and targeted results.”
He argues that “NexusWave meets all these requirements. This new solution is a true game changer for maritime communications, giving our customers the confidence to operate on their own terms, anywhere in the world, with complete peace of mind.”

Inmarsat Maritime is a Viasat company

and has been focused on the computerization of maritime transport for over 40 years. The company operates in 24 countries around the world. In May 2023, Viasat completed the acquisition of Inmarsat. In this way, the teams, technologies and resources of both companies were integrated, creating a strong new global player on the maritime communications market.
“Our merger with Viasat last year brought together the extraordinary people, innovation capabilities and network resources of both companies, creating a synergy that has been integral to the growth of NexusWave – through which we will provide our customers with unrivaled network confidence well into the future,” emphasizes Ben Palmer.
The advantage of the new solution is its availability worldwide. This is the advantage of using the Inmarsat network. At sea, an extremely important advantage is also that the crews will receive technical assistance if necessary. The advantage here is the operator’s many years of experience, which ensures that the solution will be constantly improved.